Reported potential hazardous conditions and health risks by charcoal workers in northeastern Bahia, 2001–02
| Activity | Hazardous situation | Health consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Kiln workers | ||
| Loading kilns | Wood pile, wood pieces | Fall, slip, and trip from the pile |
| Wood pile collapse | Cut, crush, or laceration of hand, foot, or limbs; being struck by logs | |
| Repetitive movements, weight of the wood | Back and muscle pain, fatigue, spinal hernia | |
| Hidden insects, scorpions, and snakes | Poisonous bites | |
| Starting fire | Climbing a kiln | Fall and slip from the rooftop or ladder |
| Burning | Wood smoke and charcoal particulate | Eye and throat irritation, sinusitis, tuberculosis, lung diseases |
| Fall of the kiln roof or wall | Injuries | |
| Unloading kilns | Kiln heat or fire while unloading | Burns, eye irritation |
| Kiln heat and rain | Cold/flu | |
| Confined space | Dizziness, fainting | |
| Tractor/truck drivers and tractor/truck loaders | ||
| Loading and unloading trucks | Wood pile collapse | Fall, slip, and trip from the pile |
| Repetitive movements, log weight | Cut, crush, or laceration of hand foot or limbs; being struck by logs Back and muscle pain, hernia | |
| Hidden insects, scorpions, and snakes | Poisonous bites | |
| Wood transportation | Road conditions, traffic | Vehicle fall, wood pile collapse, injuries, traffic accidents |
| Inadequate vehicle maintenance | ||
| Truck/tractor fuel and engine exhaust | Skin and respiratory tract irritation | |
| Loggers and logger helpers | ||
| Logging | Chainsaw weight | Muscle pain |
| Chainsaw malfunction | Severe cuts | |
| Chainsaw engine (gasoline) fume | Respiratory tract irritation | |
| Tree fall while cutting | Injuries | |
| Kiln burners | ||
| Burning kiln inspection | Wood smoke | Eye and respiratory tract irritation |
| Lung disease | ||
| Charcoal carriers | ||
| Loading charcoal | Climbing up stairs | Slips and falls |
| Charcoal dust | Eye irritation | |